On my Mac OS X machine, how would you recommend I install command line software and other packages? I've been using MacPorts and it always seems quite slow, presumably because it has to compile the packages on-the-fly.

I'd much prefer a package management system that has binary packages, saving me the need to compile things every time I want to download something new. I think Fink has binaries for some of the packages, but I usually see MacPorts recommended as the system to use.

Which do you think works better and why? (Or is there another system that I haven't heard of?)

Homebrew is just way nicer to use that MacPorts or Fink. And if it's missing any packages that you need it's easy to contribute your own formula to add it. Seriously, use Homebrew to start - chances are you won't go looking for anything else.
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Paul RobinsonNov 21 '10 at 14:01

@Ben: How does the question remain? Legion gave the pros and cons of both the options so you can make an education decision. What else is he supposed to do, decide for you?
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David PearceAug 24 '09 at 4:12

3

How do you handle dependencies? If fink package A and MacPorts package B both depend on libThing do you end up with two versions of libThing (one from each package manager)?
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dmckeeAug 24 '09 at 4:33

1

joshhunt: When I posted the comment, only the first three lines of his answer were there; he added the other two after I commented.
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Ben AlpertAug 26 '09 at 3:27